He looked at his watch. It was twelve-fifteen. If he didn’t hurry, he was going to be late. Returning to his car, he read the directions he’d scribbled down earlier and set off. Ten minutes later, he pulled into the driveway of a small house where a woman stood in the open doorway holding a fawn-colored pug.

She set the dog down, and as Hudson got out of the car, the dog raced up to him, snuffling. It stopped in front of him, cocked its head, and barked once, its little spring of a tail shaking happily. Hudson knelt and held out his hand, and the dog sniffed it briefly before putting his front paws on Hudson’s leg and looking up into his face.

“You must be Boswell,” Hudson said. The dog snorted and turned, scampering back to the porch. Hudson followed him. “And you must be Janice,” he said, addressing the woman, who held out her hand.

“Hi,” she said. “Come on in.”

They entered the house, where several suitcases were stacked near the door. A woman appeared carrying two more. “Is there anything you’re not taking?” she remarked.

“Renata, this is Hudson,” said Janice.

“We’re so relieved you’re staying here,” Renata said. “Usually one of my TAs does it, but for some reason this year they all actually have lives and are gone for the summer.”

“I’m the one who should thank you,” said Hudson. “I could never have come if I had to pay for a hotel.”

“Marty said you’re here working on something to do with Steinbeck,” said Janice.

“Yes,” Hudson answered. “At least I think it has something to do with him. I’m not sure yet.” He knew Janice was hoping he’d say more about his project, but he’d already told her more than most people knew about it.

“Don’t grill him, honey,” Renata said. She turned to Hudson. “You’ll have to forgive her. She’s not an academic.”

Janice rolled her eyes. “More ivory tower intrigue, I suppose,” she said.

Renata put her arms around Janice and kissed her on the cheek. “You have no idea how lucky you are to have a real job,” she said.

“Well, one of us has to,” replied Janice, feigning irritation. “How else could we afford this lavish adventure?”

Renata laughed. “She means how else could we afford to spend four weeks in Ohio fixing up my dead grandmother’s house?” she said to Hudson. She gave Janice a squeeze. “You’ll be happy when we sell it and make a killing,” she told her.

“This is what I get for letting her watch too much Learning Channel,” she quipped.

“Why don’t you show Hudson around while I load up the car,” Renata suggested.

Janice, with Boswell at her heels, gave Hudson a quick tour of the house. “There’s not much to tell you,” she said. “The washer and dryer are in the basement. Use whatever you want. Don’t burn the place down. That’s pretty much it. You have all our numbers if you need anything. Any questions?”